Devils post-game observations of 3-2 loss to Jets

Kyle Palmieri scores his 18th goal of the season Thursday night, but the Devils fell short against Winnipeg, 3-2, at Prudential Center on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Greg Tartaglia/NorthJersey.com

In the interest of full disclosure, I must say that I've attended many a (football) game where the Jets lost and frustrated fans in New Jersey. Thursday night at Prudential center, the Jets won a (hockey) game, and it had a similar effect.

Although the attitude among Devils players and coaches still seemed focused and positive after a 3-2 loss to Winnipeg, the lack of much "puck luck" on a 1-2 home stand was enough to leave a somewhat sour taste, even with the team still in playoff position.

New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) and right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) celebrate Palmieri's goal during the second period of their game against the Winnipeg Jets at Prudential Center.(Photo: Ed Mulholland, Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)

Here are a five takeaways from the game.

1. The point-scoring streak? It's Hall over: The Devils have two streaks that have remained intact since the calendar flipped to 2018 – at least, they did, until left wing Taylor Hall was held without a point for the first time in his last 26 appearances, dating back to Dec. 30. His official scoring streak of 19 games (not including three missed due to injury), the longest in the NHL this season, ended with just two official shots on goal against Connor Hellebuyck (41 saves). "For 60 minutes, we played how we wanted to, and their goalie played great," he said.

2. Schneider still on the schneid: The streak that New Jersey wishes had ended is the 10 straight decisions dropped by goalie Cory Schneider, whose last win came in a 3-1 victory over the Red Wings on Dec. 27. He has allowed three goals in each of his three starts since returning from a groin injury March 1 in Florida and was blunt in his self-assessment: "The team just needs better out of me."

New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider (35) dives to deflect the puck out of his crease as Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) attacks during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Newark, N.J.(Photo: Julio Cortez, AP)

3. Physical play took its toll: The Jets employ a number of big-bodied individuals, and there were points of the game at which it seemed the visitors were able to impose their will. The good news for the Devils is, they overcame it and created a number of solid scoring chances (many thwarted by Hellebuyck). The bad news for New Jersey is, it had to finish the game with 11 forwards after Travis Zajac absorbed a hit from Andrew Copp in the second period and left the game. Coach John Hynes did not have any details as to the extent of Zajac's injury, or if the center would be available on the upcoming road trip.

4. Not the way you want to go out: The Devils won the game that they "should win" on the home stand Tuesday against Montreal. They played well against two of the West's best teams, Vegas and Winnipeg, and lost both by the same score, 3-2. The first two opponents on their road trip are both in first place, Nashville (Central Division) and the aforementioned Golden Knights (Pacific). While going into a stretch like that having lost 6-of-9 is not ideal, one win against such an opponent can help turn things around quickly.

5. Potent quotable: Right wing Kyle Palmieri, who scored his 18th goal of the season against Winnipeg, summed up the situation: “This time of the year, it’s about winning hockey games, and we didn’t do that. So, [there are] some positives to take out of it, but at the end of the day, it’s still a loss.”